Tag: Jonathan Hyman

Political Spin in the Treasurer’s Race

This election cycle has had more crazy rhetoric, bogus claims and political spin than most.

The older I get, the less patience I have for political spin and interpretations of statements and the written word, by politicians, that make no sense.

What is fact and what is fiction in the political arena is quickly confused and expanded when it gets into the world of social media.

A perfect example of this is the attempt by Angie Jones to explain why she resigned from the Treasurer’s office while still attempting to be elected the next treasurer.

The press conference by Jones last Friday was an attempt to change the message from why were tax penalties removed from her brother’s tax bill to alleged mistreatment of Jones in the Treasurer’s office.

The press conference statements are contradicted by an earlier statement by Jones when she announced her candidacy.

From the Angie Jones June 10, 2016 Press Conference:

“As most of you know I have resigned from the Horry County Treasurer’s office to accept a position in the Horry County Clerk of Court’s office… I will no longer subject myself to the hostile work environment and malicious attacks that I have endured over the last several months.

“This all began in February 2016 when I was approached and was asked to give up my job title so that my opponent could run his campaign as the current Deputy Treasurer. I was assured I could keep my salary and the only change would be my job title. I refused and it has been a nightmare from that point forward.”

From a March 11, 2016 article on Angie Jones in the Horry Independent announcing her candidacy:

“Of course, I’d never run against Roddy. We made a good team.”

Continue Reading →

The Effectiveness of Political Endorsements

Political endorsements captured the headlines last week even though the benefit they provide a candidate is very questionable.

Gov. Nikki Haley was in the Pee Dee and on the Grand Strand to promote three SC Senate candidates. Maybe it’s more accurate to say she was in the area to campaign against incumbent legislators she doesn’t like.

Haley came to the local area to attack incumbent senators Luke Rankin (District 33) and Hugh Leatherman (District 31) and promote challengers in those primary contests, Scott Pyle and Richard Skipper, respectively.

Haley’s endorsements in those two races are probably the equivalent of whistling in the wind. After all, Haley endorsed Marco Rubio all the way to distant also ran in the SC presidential primary while Donald Trump was sweeping all of South Carolina’s delegates.

Haley’s third local endorsement, candidate Reese Boyd over Rep. Stephen Goldfinch for the open Senate District 34 seat, may help a little more because Boyd is the better candidate and Goldfinch, while an incumbent House member, is unpopular in some important precincts in District 34.

Haley’s attempt to defeat incumbent legislators who don’t vote the way she wishes is sadly reminiscent of FDR in the 1938 off year Congressional elections. FDR targeted and campaigned against eight southern Democratic incumbent senators and house members who did not support most of his New Deal programs.

Only one of the targeted eight was defeated in the primaries and the Democrats lost six Senate seats and 71 House seats to Republicans in the general election. FDR’s popularity with the voters didn’t translate to candidates he endorsed or otherwise supported.

Political endorsements mean even less in a county or city race where the candidates and endorsers are better known to voters. The endorsement by ‘so and so’ state legislator for ‘such and such’ local candidate means virtually nothing to the voters.

Continue Reading →

Large Crowd Comes Out for Jonathan Hyman Campaign Kickoff

(Pictured above Rep. Jeff Johnson (left) and Jonathan Hyman (right).

Over two hundred people attended Jonathan Hyman’s campaign kickoff event at Arnold Johnson’s shed on Hwy 701 South. Hyman is running for Horry County Treasurer.

Johnson said the event drew a larger crowd than others he has hosted and the crowd was at least as large as the one that showed up for Tom Rice’s campaign kickoff for chairman of Horry County Council in 2010.

“I have no doubt Jonathan will do a good job as Treasurer,” said Johnson. “I remember when (former Treasurer) Johnny C. Allen hired him. Johnny always had good things to say about Jonathan.”

This was the kind of event that former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Tip O’Neill alluded to when he said all politics are local. Families from the community came out to support Hyman with the adults enjoying good food and fellowship and the children playing ball outside.

The event was not short of political officeholders and candidates either. S.C. Senate Luke Rankin and S.C. Rep. Jeff Johnson were in attendance.

Rankin said the first thing he thinks of when he hears Hyman’s name is humility, competence and temperament.

“Jonathan is well groomed for this position,” said Rankin. “There will be no surprises. He knows how to carry out the duties of Treasurer.”

Johnson said he wished Hyman well in his campaign for election.

“He is a great guy,” Johnson said. “I go to church with him and know what type of person he is and what a wonderful family he has.”

Former Treasurer Johnny C. Allen said, “I hired him 16 years ago because I knew he was a good, smart kid. I am happy he asked me to endorse him, which I am pleased to do. Jonathan will be an asset to Horry County as its next Treasurer.”

Current Treasurer Roddy Dickinson said it was time for him to retire and pass on the office.

“I have no regrets and I’m looking forward to be able to do other things in life,” said Dickinson. “I am happy to endorse Jonathan for Treasurer. Jonathan works well with people and will make a great Treasurer. He has respect and understanding for others and that is very important in dealing with the public.”

Continue Reading →

Jonathan Hyman Announces Candidacy for Horry County Treasurer

(Above Jonathan Hyman with wife Nicole and children Jay and Carly)

Jonathan Mark Hyman, native of Horry County and Conway resident, recently announced his candidacy for Horry County Treasurer.

Hyman is a 1994 graduate of Conway High School. In 1998 he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus on business management and finance from the Wall School of Business at Coastal Carolina University. Following graduation, he pursued a career in Real Estate Appraisal and has been appraising residential and commercial real estate for nearly 17 years.

Hyman is a certified real estate appraiser and has partnered in appraisal firms and managed apprentice appraisers. He is currently a candidate for the MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute. He manages his own appraisal firm and is also a real estate consultant for Valbridge Property Advisors where he provides comprehensive valuation & advisory services.

Hyman has also been employed with Horry County Government since 2000. He was first hired in the Code Enforcement Department to enforce building code laws. Shortly thereafter, he was recruited by long-time Horry County Treasurer, Mr. Johnny C. Allen, as a Revenue Collector in the Treasurer’s Office.

Hyman has served in the Horry County Treasurer’s office for approximately 15 years under the leadership and guidance of current Treasurer, Roddy Dickinson, and his predecessor, Johnny C. Allen. With the full endorsement and support of both Dickinson and Allen, Hyman is excited to announce his decision to file the necessary paperwork to serve as your next Treasurer of Horry County.

Hyman is a member of the Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors, the Appraisal Institute, the Horry County Republican Club and the South Strand Republican Club.

Hyman and his wife, Nicole, have been married for nearly 16 years and have two children Jay (10) and Carly (7). They are faithful members of Juniper Bay Baptist Church where Jonathan actively serves as a sound system technician and Royal Ambassador Leader.

Continue Reading →

Changing the Guard in Horry County Republican Politics

We are seeing a changing of the guard in Republican politics in Horry County. The last election cycle brought some new faces to the fore as some of our older incumbents chose to retire.

That trend is continuing in 2016.

I asked my good friend and former television partner John Bonsignor to help me produce eight thumbnail sketches of some up and coming office holders and candidates in the Republican Party.

The Republican party is beginning to welcome with open arms, into the political arena, young, talented, and desirable new faces to replace their old guard. As many of the elected old timers, having been in office for many years, feel it’s time to move on and give way to the new blood of talented candidates coming up.

Jeff Johnson – completing his first term as representative for SC House District 58, Johnson has consistently supported small government, conservative issues. He is a strong believer in family values and believes the state has an obligation to maintain its existing infrastructure that is so vital to small business.

Heather Ammons Crawford – finishing her second full term as representative for SC House District 68, fiscal responsibility, pro life and second amendment issues are at the top of her goals. Ammons Crawford is also South Carolina National Committeewoman for the Young Republican National Federation engaging young people across the country.

Russell Fry – our newest representative to the SC House, he has served SC House District 106 since winning a special election to fill an unexpired term last fall. Fry’s goals are working for a “prosperous South Carolina for our kids, ensuring they got a good education and a strong foundation.”

Tyler Servant – representing Horry County Council District 5 since January 2015, Servant seeks to bring new and innovative thinking to Horry County Council including waste cutting plans. He looks hard at road improvements needed in District 5 and has been successful in acquiring a federal grant for beach renourishment on the South Strand.

Continue Reading →

Roddy Dickinson Retiring from Treasurer’s Post

In the final year of his third term as Horry County Treasurer, Roddy Dickinson announced recently that he would not be seeking a fourth term in office.

“I could not commit to spending another full four year term in office and I’m not going to run for office and quit halfway through,” said Dickinson. “It’s time for me to move on.”

When he completes his 12th and final year as Treasurer at the end of December 2016, Dickinson will have a total of 32 years of service with Horry County Government.

“My first 15 years were with the Finance Office,” said Dickinson. “I moved to the Treasurer’s office when Johnnie Allen was Treasurer. When Allen retired, he supported me in my bid to succeed him.”

The Treasurer’s office has responsibility for collecting current and delinquent property taxes; has oversight over accommodations and hospitality tax collections in the county; is responsible for delinquent tax sale of property and invests revenue for Horry County, Horry County Schools, Horry County Department of Airports and Horry County Solid Waste Authority.

During his time in office, the population of Horry County grew by approximately 100,000 placing demands on the office as a significant amount of new residential property was added to the tax rolls.

“The Treasurer’s job was probably the biggest challenge of my life,” said Dickinson. “We went through a significant explosion of technology since I first took office in 2005 and have added services to the public while keeping staff positions steady.”

Dickinson also steered the office through the difficult period of economic recession caused by the burst of the national housing bubble and succeeding banking crisis in 2008.

Continue Reading →